A good night for Brentford and Liverpool.

A bad night for West Ham and David Moyes, Leicester and poor Wout Faes.

This was merely the appetiser, though. Join us again tomorrow as 12 more Premier League teams play their final game of 2022.

Night all.

Dave Prudames: I watched Pele in awe in 1958 aged 15. I loved football and I loved pair play; Pele epitomised that. He was the best by miles in my opinion. Only Bestie came anywhere near his skill level. I loved that he rated my hero, Bobby Moore, as the greatest defender he played against. I also loved what another hero said about him - King Denis Law, who I met and was a proper hero, a really good bloke. There has never been and never will be a footballer anywhere near Pele!

Leicester City

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers, speaking to BBC Sport: “We started the game great, scored a terrific goal. We looked dangerous in the game but then we found ourselves 2-1 down out of nothing.

“It is disappointing, the players kept going. They were very competitive in the game. You could see the players with lots of good moments in the game, probably lacked a little quality in the final third at times.

"Overall the players gave everything and I didn’t think we deserved to lose."

On Faes' two own goals: “He has come back a little rusty having not played in a long time having got no minutes with Belgium at the World Cup. When he came in [after joining the club] he was absolutely fantastic for us and was just unfortunate today.”

Liverpool

Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk, speaking to Sky Sports: "At times, I thought we were poor today. It's a cliche but it's important to get the three points and win. We tried to get in the game but we weren't good enough and we know that. We won, which is positive, but there are plenty of things we have to improve on."

On Leicester: "We know they have quality and speed up front, guys who can play the ball in behind. A couple of times it was dangerous, a couple of times it was offside. That was their gameplan. Job done."

On whether Liverpool sensed it wasn't their night: "If you go on the pitch with that feeling, you are already behind. We had a very good game in Birmingham the other day and we tried to keep that going. At times, we were too quick and lost the ball in difficult situations. We were open and they have players who can take advantage. We have to take the three points, be confident and move on."

On adapting to returning from the World Cup: "It's part of life. I've been here for five years and I'm very delighted and proud to be playing for this beautiful club. It's been different for the last five weeks but I'm getting back into it."

On what new signing Cody Gakpo will contribute: "Hopefully a lot. He's a good player. I know how it is to come in in January. We have to give him time and the real fans will. He has to get his head down. I spoke to him and could only say good things because I've enjoyed my time here and have been very successful. If it had been me, it would have been an easy decision to make. I didn't need to convince him but if he had any questions, I could have answered."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander Arnold, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's all about getting three points and trying to get into a position in the league where we feel like we need to be and haven't been this season. These are the ones that you look back on and know that you needed to win it. Whether you win well or ugly, it doesn't really matter."

On Liverpool's shortcomings: "We lacked intensity. I don't want to say we got bullied but they were winning the second balls and playing around us. They had a lot of men in midfield and outnumbered us. They found it way too easy. We should have made it a lot harder for them. That's what we pride ourselves on: our intensity and pressing straight out of the blocks. It just wasn't there today. Their goal took us by surprise."

On defensive solidity: "We've been told what to do but within that, the manager knows there are times when you have to drop and there are times when you have to play a high time. I'm right up there pressing the left-back, and that's when we kind of leave ourselves a bit exposed if we don't get it right. The goal kick took Joel [Matip] a bit by surprise when it came short, and then it got a bit scruffy. I haven't watched it back but I think Robbo got caught in two minds. You couldn't catch up then, and it was a good finish."

On head coach Jurgen Klopp's instructions to him and Andrew Robertson: "The manager gives us freedom to play the game how we want to play. We're full-backs who attack in very different ways. Robbo is more of a runner off the ball. He'll make runs in behind. I like the ball in to feet, I like to pass the ball and pick defences apart like that. It works - there's a balance to it with him bombing on and overlapping and me going one-on-one, taking a step back and then crossing. The manager's been able to find balance in the team to let both of us do what we want and hurt opposition. The message is always to go and play, win games and attack. At the same time, we've got to be careful and make sure we've got that protection behind us."

On the criticism he has faced: "Part of me thinks there's been a lot more of a spotlight on it because of me not playing at the World Cup. In some situations, I've not helped myself. There were situations at the start of the season that could have been better, I'll hold my hands up about that."

Image source, Getty Images

Marcus, Portsmouth: What's all this sudden talk comparing Nunez with Werner?! Quick stat: Werner scored 10 goals in 56 Premier League apps, Nunez has five in 12. Nonsense to compare.

Anon: Is Alan from Belfast (22:07) honestly comparing a one-goal-in-six striker (Werner) to a one-in-two striker (Nunez) and being serious about it?

MM, LGC: Nunez's movement and pace are outstanding: as a consequence, he causes chaos and panic for defenders. When he adds calmness to his finishing, he will be unplayable. Be patient...

West Ham United

West Ham manager David Moyes speaking to Match of the Day: "I thought we played well today. The goals were completely against the run of play, we've lost two goals to throw ins. We made a lot of opportunities, we just couldn't take them.

"It's small margins, I thought the players did a great job, kept going. We just didn't have the final bit of the jigsaw.

"In the second half we had to alter what we were doing, but overall I thought the players did a great job apart from the goals."

On whether he can deal with defeats more easily through experience: "I don't think anyone likes being on losing runs, when you get older it hurts even more."

On whether he thinks there is any justification to the criticism his team face: "It's completely fair, if people choose they can do that."

It's actually better than you think Trent, you're only 12 points behind Arsenal.

Still plenty of work to do, though!

Image source, BBC Sport

Liverpool

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, speaking to Sky Sports: "We’re realistic, the aim going into the season is always to win the league, or at least be in and around it, like last season – pushing City to the final day.

"I think, right now, when you look at it, we’re 15 points behind Arsenal, so you’re hoping for a miracle."

Gaz from Earl Shilton: Not many teams can go to Anfield and stop them from scoring and score themselves and still come away with a defeat!

Flophouse: Can we stop calling Nunez chaotic like it's a plus? He's just Werner in a new skin - all pace, nothing else.

Taj in Northampton: Beating Gary Lineker's team. Nothing else quite like it. Happy new year, Reds!

Brentford

Brentford manager Thomas Frank speaking to Premier League Productions: "Very pleasing, it was almost the perfect away performance.

"It's a big result, to come here and win 2-0 is impressive, West Ham were better than us in the first half but we took our two moments and the second half was spotless in defence. We had chances to kill the game at 3-0, but still, good points.

On Toney's injury: "He had some pain, hopefully nothing serious. It is something with the knee, we hope it is nothing serious."

One of Liverpool's Champions League winners makes the case for talking up Trent tonight.

Paul Robinson
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

Nunez couldn't hit the target tonight but his interaction with Mo Salah looked better than I've seen previously.

He played Salah in a couple of times. His confidence, his hold-up play, his runs in behind - he looks like he's going to be a top-class signing for them.

I honestly believe that he's one or two goals from really kicking off the mark.

West Ham United

West Ham captain Declan Rice: "As bizarre as it sounds with the result, the first half is as good as we have played this season. We passed really well, we just lacked cutting edge. They scored two goals, we couldn't put the ball in the back of the net.

"It's really frustrating, we highlighted throw-ins as a strength of theirs. Their second one, one throw, one ball over top and it's in net. In all my time at West Ham, we haven't conceded a goal as easy as that.

"Inside the changing room heads were not down at all. We just couldn't get that extra goal. In games this you need to score, keep applying pressure, and credit to Brentford they stopped us.

"This is West Ham, it's a massive club. Where we are in the table isn't good enough, we need to be doing better, we are letting ourselves down, our manager down and our fans down. It doesn't feel real being in the position we are but that's the reality.

"When you're down at the bottom with the games played, people will say it's a relegation battle. But if you have that mindset, it makes everything frantic. It's not like that at all, everything is so positive. We've got to stay positive."

Brentford

Brentford scorer Josh DaSilva on his goal: "I know how Ivan [Toney] plays, that he would flick it around the corner, he actually called out as he did it. Cresswell hesitated so I got it, I went through on goal and I'm just pleased it went in. It's a confidence booster, I haven't scored for a while.

"Everyone can see what Ivan brings to the team. We're not sure what happened so I will have to go in and see what's what, hopefully it's not too bad.

On facing Liverpool next: "We're full of confidence, we've gone 2-0 up and this time we managed to put game to bed. We will back ourselves."

This does not make pretty reading for West Ham.

They're clocking in at less than a point and a goal a game.

Where does David Moyes go from here?

Image source, BBC Sport

Alan, Belfast: It's amazing the difference having the support of pundits makes. Werner for Chelsea was a 'flop' despite his speed, goal involvements and general stretching of defences, but would miss easy chances. Yet Nunez gets heralded for doing the same things...

Beth: I don’t get the hate for Nunez, I honestly think he’d walk into 90% of Prem teams. He’s rather exciting to watch - and I’m a United fan.

Anon: Is Darwen Nunez the ghost of Christmas past... in the shape of Andy Carroll?

John Hunt
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

The crowd started leaving after 70 minutes. There'd been some boos at half-time as well.

In the first half, the fans realised there was energy, endeavour, purpose and a high level of skill but West Ham just couldn't finish those chances. An in-form side would have put at least one of those away.

There's clear dissatisfaction and disgruntlement around the stadium. It's a very, very tough winter ahead.